From the Principal
We would like to acknowledge the original custodians of this land
and pay our respects to the Elders past and present and emerging,
for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Indigenous Australia.
IN FAITH WE WILL SHOW.......
Respect, Empathy, Inclusion and Excellence.
Dear Parents
Welcome to the 2023 school year! It was wonderful to see the excited faces of students and parents returning to school on Monday. The welcoming faces as they walked through the gates was a reassurance that all was back to normal and routines will start to get back into place. As I've walked around the school and into the classrooms this week, it appears that everyone has settled in and the children are all on task with their work. It was most pleasing to see everyone happy to be here. Thank you to the staff that made the classrooms look inviting.
I would like to especially welcome all the new families starting their first year at St Anthony’s School, especially if they have moved to a new school community. I hope you and your child/ren have a successful time at our school and that you become part of this warm and welcoming community.
I also welcome the new staff who have joined our school team: Ms Shanlan Moore, Years 1 & 2 and Mr Taylor Butler Years 3 & 4. I am sure that they will feel the warmth of our school community.
Congratulations to the Prep students who have settled into their classroom routines and expectations with ease and comfort. Thank you to their parents whomade them feel reassured that they were ready for school and to their teachers, Mrs Sarah O'Hara and Mrs Marie Georgiadis, who ensured that they were all engaged and happy on their first days with us.
SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Our newsletter is published fortnightly. It is appreciated if everyone, families, students and teachers read it as a great deal of thought and effort goes into providing detailed information which is imperative to your child’s school life. We are very proud of the easy access and links to all school information such as the calendar and website. Remember this is your link to curriculum, special events, parents and friends (PFA), children’s news and highlights, not forgetting the community news.
SCHOOL STARTING TIMES
A reminder that the best time for children to arrive at school is at 8.40am in preparation for the doors to open at 8.40am. Children who arrive prior to this are asked to use the OSHC program that is available each day. Children should not be on school grounds unsupervised before 8.40am.
STAFF COMMUNICATION
A reminder that all communications with staff are to be made by either email or calls to the school office. They will reply as soon as possible outside of their classroom teaching hours or yard duties that they have. Tuesday and Wednesdays are professional learning times after school and teachers are involved with these each week so may be unable to reply. Please allow 48 hours for your message to be attended to. Should anything be of an urgent matter please call the school and leave a message as to what the matter applies to.
SAFETY AT SCHOOL CROSSING THE ROAD
The safety of our students is paramount not only at school but also on their way to and from school. The traffic along Grange and Neerim Roads has returned to normal, especially at the start and the end of school hours. I ask that you use the Pedestrian Crossing at the intersection where it is safer than trying to dash across the road through the cars as they drive along either roads. As adults, the example of safety and correct procedure should be shown so that the children learn how to obey the rules. Please speak to your children about crossing safely at the lights.
MASSES AND ASSEMBLIES are held each week on a fortnightly bases. Even though classes are designated to host these all parents are welcome to come along and attend the events.
2023 STUDENT LEADERS
Congratulations to the following students who have been voted in by their peers and will represent the students for 2023:
Years 6 Leaders
School Captains: Hamilton and Fiona
Sports Captains: Joshua and Jadeen - Siena (Blue)
Etienne and Rocco - Padua (Red)
Banjo and Artem - Xavier (Green)
Yiani and Sophia - Nagle (Yellow)
World Justice: Seraphina and Aiden
The Arts: Rachel and Alyx
Media Leaders: Neev and Bianka
STEM: Jordan and Samuel
Student Representative Council - SRC
Prep - Alex and Olivia
Years 1&2 SM - Leo and Christelle
Years 3&4 TO - Primrose and Vivienne
Years 3&4 TB - Andy and Chiara
Years 5&6 MC - Nav and Mila
Years 5&6 MN - Poppy and Evelyn
The Year 6 Leaders and the SRC students will receive their badges after the Opening School Mass on Friday 10 February.
SCHOOL FEES
School fee invoices will be distributed today. If you have a concession card please check at the office to see if you are eligible for concessional school fees.
May the year ahead be positive and stable within our energised community.
Sincerely yours
Margaret Carlei
Principal
“At the very heart of each Catholic school is a desire for the full flourishing of each student across religious, physical, cognitive, emotional and social domains.”
Horizons of Hope.